Japanese maple plant named ‘Gwen&#39;s Rose Delight’

ABSTRACT

The invention is a new variety of Japanese Maple. The variety is a robust tree with a leaf color predominantly green/purple with a pale pink to white margin.

Genus and species of plant claimed: Acer palmatum.

Variety denomination: ‘Gwen's Rose Delight’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The term “Japanese Maple” mainly refers to varieties of Acer palmatumand its close relatives.

Japanese maple plants are valued for being decorative outdoor trees.Many varieties of Japanese maple are suitable for being maintained at asmall size and to fit into a small space. Japanese maples are often asource of interesting color for a garden.

The present variety arose as a sport from a plant of Acer palmatum‘Geisha’ (non-patented). This discovery was made at 90 Waitara Rd,Brixton, New Plymouth, New Zealand in the summer of 2001. Eight growthbuds were removed from the originally observed plant and these werereproduced via asexual propagation via bud grafting onto Acer palmatumrootstock (a non-patented variety) in New Plymouth, New Zealand. Theseeight buds came into growth approximately six months later in spring andwere observed to be true to the original plant. From this originalpropagation further bud grafts were made during following propagationseasons of January to February and the stock was increased incrementallyas propagation material became available. Throughout this period theplants were observed to be true to the original parent plant. Thisfurther propagation took place at 109 Waitara Road, Brixton, NewPlymouth, New Zealand.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present variety is a robust tree with a leaf color predominantlygreen/purple with a pale pink to white margin.

This variety is typically propagated by means of asexual bud graftingduring summer. Growth is observed during the following spring typically5-6 months later.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographs show typical specimens of the new varietyas depicted in colors as true as is reasonably possible to make the samecolor illustration of this character.

FIG. 1: single stem in summer.

FIG. 2: foliage now growth (redder coloration) on old.

FIG. 3: new foliage in summer.

FIG. 4: early summer leaves.

FIG. 5: early summer leaf.

FIG. 6: early summer leaves.

FIG. 7: early summer leaves.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is based on observations of two year oldplants in 2005. The site was 90 Waitara Road, Brixton, New Plymouth. Theplants were propagated by grafting of buds onto Acer palmatum seedingrootstock.

Colors are described using The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart(RHS).

-   Plants:

At two years old (trimmed) the plant has a height of 1.2 m. Theapproximate ultimate height is 4-6 meters with a spread of approximately2-3 meters and a mature trunk diameter at 30 centimeters above groundlevel of approximately 20 centimeters to 30 centimeters. The branchsystem is semi-erect.

-   Trunk & Branch:

The trunk/bark color is Greyed-Orange 176A and Yellow-Green 146C. Thebranch color in winter is Greyed-Purple 187A with an overlying stembloom of White 155C. Pubescence is absent.

-   -   -   Lenticels.—White present, are not a distinct feature of this            plant.

In a mature specimen the tree is many branched, forming a full, roundheaded small tree. In a juvenile specimen the branches are upright withsemi-pendulous tips becoming more upright as the tree ages. Annualspring flush on a juvenile plant appears to be 30 to 80 centimetersslowing to approximately 20 to 30 centimeters on a mature specimen.Internode length on spring flush is observed as 3 to 6 centimeters.Diameter is observed as 3 to 5 millimeters. On a mature specimen branchdiameter is observed as 1 to 3 centimeters.

-   Leaf arrangement and form:    -   -   Foliage arrangement.—Opposite, simple.        -   Leaf shape.—Palmate, five and occasionally seven part. Apex            acute. Lobes are slender of 8-15 millimeters width at the            widest point. Margins are serrate. Texture of upper and            lower surfaces is smooth and without pubescence.        -   Leaf length.—Approximately 6 to 8 centimeters excluding            petiole.        -   Leaf width.—Approximately 5 to 10 centimeters.-   Petioles:    -   -   Petiole color.—Red 45B summer, Red 45C autumn.        -   Petiole length.—3 to 4 centimeters.        -   Petiole diameter.—Approximately 1 millimeter.-   Leaf colour:    -   -   Color of summer leaf (young):        -   Upper surface center.—Red — Purple 59B.        -   Upper surface margin.—Red — Purple 61C.        -   Lower surface center.—Red — Purple 59B.        -   Lower surface margin.—Red — Purple 61C.-   Colour of summer leaf (mature):    -   -   Upper surface.—Upper surface center Yellow — Green 148D            tinged with Red — Purple 71A. Central color is also            irregularly flecked with grey/green patches 2-5 millimeters            in diameter, colored Yellow — Green 148B. Margin Red 56B and            Red 56D.        -   Lower surface.—Lower surface center Yellow — Green 148D            tinged with Red — Purple 71A. Central color is also            irregularly flecked with grey/green patches 2-5 millimeters            in diameter, colored Yellow — Green 148B. Margin Red 56B and            Red 56D.-   Colour of autumn leaf:    -   -   Upper surface.—Red 44C and Red 40B, marginal variegation is            indistinct in autumn.        -   Lower surface.—Red 44C and Red 40B, marginal variegation is            indistinct in autumn.-   Venation pattern:    -   -   Venation pattern.—Palamate.        -   Venation color.—Green — White 157C and Orange — Red 35C in            spring, summer changing to Red 45A in autumn.-   Other leaf characteristics: Pubescence is absent. The leaves are not    glaucose. Marginal variegation is strongly evident as described in    color descriptions.-   Flowering:    -   -   Flower development.—Flowers are insignificant, this variety            has been observed to set seed. Seed has not been germinated.-   Temperature tolerance:

Observation of this variety has taken place in a temperate climate only.There is the expectation that this variety will perform in a mannersimilar to other known variegated Acer palmatum varieties in extremes oftemperature. This variety has been observed to retain distinct foliagecoloration during summer months though periods of extreme drought havenot been experienced.

-   Resistance to pathogens:

Not noted as resistant to any pathogens and pests known to JapaneseMaples.

-   Comparison:

The variety was compared with ‘Geisha,’ ‘Butterfly’ and ‘BeniSchishihenge’ (non patented varieties). ‘Geisha’ had a different formwith spotted variegations. The leaves of ‘Butterfly’ were smaller andgreener with no pink/red colouration. ‘Beni Schishihenge’ has a smallerleaf with irregular salmon pink margins. In the present variety the leafcolour which is predominantly green/purple with pale pink to whitemargin. The leaf is larger and the plants are taller with a more robusthabit.

1. A new and distinct Japanese Maple tree as herein illustrated anddescribed.